Responsibilities as a tenant
As a tenant, you have a number of responsibilities to adhere to by law. These are drawn up in your tenancy agreement.
From getting your keys, to repairs and rent, here are just some of the responsibilities that lie with you as the tenant of a rented property.
RD
Ryder & Dutton
Responsibilities as a Tenant
1. Keys
2. Moving in checklist
It’s your responsibility as the tenant to ensure you have organised the following when you move into your property (if required).
- Council tax registration
- Gas
- Water
- Electricity
- Broadband / telephone
- TV Licence
- Contents insurance
3. Your tenancy deposit
At the start of the tenancy, you are required to pay a security deposit. This is held against any damage not considered ‘fair wear and tear’. The deposit will be equivalent to one month’s rent, plus £100 or the equivalent of five weeks’ rent (confirmed in your tenancy agreement). The deposit will be payable on or before the day your tenancy starts, and it cannot be used for the payment of rent. Tenancy Deposit Protection By law, any Assured Short Hold Tenancies require landlords and property managers to ensure your tenancy deposit is held in an approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme. This was introduced by the UK Government to ensure that deposits are protected and any disputes about their return are dealt with quickly, inexpensively and impartially.
Details of your scheme can be found in your tenancy agreement. Once your tenancy deposit has been protected in an approved scheme, you will receive a certificate of registration within 30 days.
4. Paying rent
As a tenant, you must ensure your rent is paid on time. Your tenancy agreement will tell you when your rent is due, and the first payment is due on, or before, the start date of the tenancy, in the form of cleared funds.
Your rent does not include council tax, electricity, gas and water, TV licence, internet or telephone. If the tenancy is in two or more names, everyone on the tenancy agreement is responsible for making sure the rent is paid on time. It is your responsibility to make sure there are cleared funds in your bank account. Unless your tenancy agreement states different, rent payments are made by monthly instalments by standing order, on or before the due date.
5. Joint responsibilities - sharing a property
If you rent a property with other people, you all have joint responsibilities for keeping to the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement. This includes covering rent if one tenant fails to pay their rent (the other sharers remain responsible). All tenants are equally responsible for any damaged caused and the termination of the tenancy. Therefore, any one sharer wishing to end a tenancy is considered to be doing so on behalf of all the other occupiers.
6. Maintenance
The landlord is responsible for repairs and maintenance issues at the property. Please report any issues promptly. As a tenant, however, you have responsibilities to your landlord and to your neighbours to maintain the general standard of the property and to adhere to the rules set out in your tenancy agreement.
Maintenance, including changing light bulbs, disposing of rubbish and keeping the property ventilated, lies with you as the tenant of the property. Other responsibilities include: - Minor repairs and maintenance - Gas, responding to letters to carry out annual gas checks. - Gardening - Keeping walls free of Blue Tac and similar products - Ensuring flooring and carpets are free from damage - Disposing of rubbish responsibly - Using correct cleaning materials to ensure no damage to surfaces - Descaling shower heads regularly - Property security - Maintaining washing machines and tumble dryers - Ventilation and condensation - Defrost fridge and freezer regularly.
7. Repairs and emergencies
If you have repairs or maintenance requirements, please report these to your Property Manager at Ryder & Dutton as soon as possible.
